Chief, Pharmacy Service

Full Job Description

The Chief, Pharmacy will plan, direct, and coordinate comprehensive pharmacy activities at the White City VA Medical Center and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

He/She is responsible for operations for all facets of inpatient, outpatient, and clinical programs and provides support to all medical programs offered at VA SORCC.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education (1) Graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.

Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109; phone: (312) 664-3575, or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/.

(NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program.

Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) (2) Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the graduate is able to provide proof of achieving the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Commission (FPGEC) Certification, which includes passing the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT).

Licensure. Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.

The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full, current, and unrestricted licensure.

A pharmacist who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16.

English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:GS-14 (a) Experience. In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Assignments.

Candidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed below.

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Service Chief.

Individual is assigned as Chief at Facility Complexity Level 2 or 3 medical facility but assignment does not have the high level of complexity to support a GS-15 grade as defined in paragraph (5)(b) below.

Responsible for all aspects of pharmacy services at a medical facility by maintaining effective interdepartmental relationships, demonstrating active problem resolution skills and close cooperation with other programs and services in accomplishing the medical facility mission and goals.

Responsible for budget management, determining resource needs, allocating resources, ensuring proper utilization in productivity, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of the operation.

Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long term interest of the organization, capitalizing on opportunities and managing risks.

Responsible for compliance with all safety, regulatory, and accrediting body requirements. Delegates authority to several supervisory and program levels to meet the goals of the service and staff.

Ensures orientation and training programs are established to ensure staff development, oversees academic affiliations, and participates in medical facility, VISN, National, other external governmental agencies, and professional associations.

Demonstrated KSAs. Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues.

Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs. Skill in managing multiple and diverse people or programs.

Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff.

Preferred Experience: Documented clinical care and management responsibilities across care settings. An advanced degree in public health or business administration is preferred.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/55 PART II APPENDIX G15.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. Major Duties:

The Chief, Pharmacy will be a licensed pharmacist with a Pharm.D. and with previous management experience.

Work experience and management experience in a variety of settings (outpatient pharmacy, clinical pharmacy is preferred.

Advanced degree in public health (MPH) or business administration (MBA) is preferred.

The Pharmacy Service offers a full range of pharmaceutical and clinical services including but not limited to: decentralized unit dose dispensing, outpatient anticoagulation services, and will support future expansions of services as strategically appropriate.

VA SORCC also serves as a major rotation site for pharmacy students from the local schools of pharmacy and has an ASHP accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency program.

FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE Leadership & Oversight: Directs all pharmacy operations and supervises staff, including pharmacists, technicians, and clerical personnel.

Ensures compliance with VA, DEA, and station policies. Strategic Planning: Develops long- and short-term goals aligned with medical center objectives.

Maintains action plans and prioritizes goals to achieve results. Budget & Resource Management: Prepares and justifies annual budgets for medications, supplies, equipment, and personnel.

Monitors inventory levels and ensures timely distribution of pharmacy supplies. Staffing & Development: Recruits and selects personnel in collaboration with HR.

Promotes professional development, evaluates performance, and addresses disciplinary issues. Fosters a positive work environment and rewards excellence.

Operational Efficiency: Coordinates work schedules to ensure coverage and productivity. Implement policies and procedures for safe and efficient compounding and dispensing of medications.

Compliance & Quality Assurance: Maintains regulatory compliance and oversees inspections of ward and clinic drug stocks. Develop operational policies to ensure quality and safety.

Collaboration & Communication: Serves on medical center committees and works with other services to achieve organizational goals.

Provides guidance to supervisors and staff on problemsolving and adapting to changes. Performance Monitoring: Analyzes workload and productivity data, reporting metrics as required.

Drives continuous improvement initiatives. Coordinates all professional and clinical aspects of the Pharmaceutical Care program and ensures continued accreditation of the Pharmacy Practice Residency.

Promotes staff engagement in patient care activities, including medication record reviews, counseling, chart reviews, clinical huddles, and continuing education.

Develops new clinical programs, maintains quality patient care, and conducts medication usage evaluations through performance improvement initiatives.

Serves on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, ensuring formulary maintenance and timely distribution of therapeutic agents.

Provides comprehensive drug information and guidance to clinical staff and supports continuous improvement of strategic goals and committee measures.

Evaluates supervisors on equal opportunity compliance and identifies training needs. Contributes to EEO, Affirmative Action, and career development programs.

Establishes performance improvement initiatives consistent with JCAHO, VACO, and QM standards.

Fosters a culture of Total Quality Improvement and teamwork to enhance service quality, morale, and productivity.

Provides orientation for inspecting officials and clinical staff on drug accountability procedures. Coordinates with the Drug Dependence Treatment Unit to support program goals.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0800-1630 Telework:Ad-Hoc as needed. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required